Vehicle suspension



June 11, 1946. e. LARiSON 1 2,401,766

VEHICLE SUbPE-NSION V Filed Nov. 30, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l GLENN L.LARISON lNxVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 11, 1946. G. LA RISON 2,401,766

VEHICLE SUSPENSION Filed Nov. 30, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 GLENN L. LARISONINVENT OR ATTORNEYS June 1946- G. L. LARISON VEHICLE SUSPENSION FiledNov. 30, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 GLENN L. LARISON INYENTOR BY M Mac MATTORNEYS Patented June 11-, 1946 VEHICLE SUSPENSION Glenn L. Larison,La Grande, Oreg., assignor to g Larison Compensating Axle poration ofOregon Corporation, a cor- Application November so, 1943, Serial No.512,351

10 Claims.

This invention relates in general to vehicle wheel mountings of thecompensating type in which wheels are provided in pairs, with each wheelso mounted that it may be raised separately ab ove the other wheel ofthe pair, but with the two wheels remaining in parallel planes, spaced aconstant distance apart, and with compensating mechanism interconnectingthe pair so as to divide the load equally between them regardless oftheir raised or lowered positions,

An object of this invention is to provide an improved and simplifiedcompensatin mounting for the Wheels of each pair in a vehicle suspensionof this nature, which will not only serve to divide the load between thewheels but which rear of the vehicle looking toward the forward can beso connected to the vehicle as to cushion sating mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved vehiclesuspension suitable for a single pairof vehicle wheels, each carrying anend;

Fig. 3 is an .end elevation, partly in section, sim-' ilar to Fig. 2,showing 'a modified construction which may beemployed to carry out theprinciple of my invention; v f

Fig. 4- is another similar end elevation, partly in section, showing afurther modified manner in which the compensating mechanism and wheelspindle arms may be mounted;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation similar to Fig. I butshowing a leaf spring substituted for the coil spring and cable of Fig.1; and

Fig.6 is a sectional planview corresponding to line 6-6 in Fig. 5, butwith some portions broken away to show the' structural details for themounting of one of the wheel-spindle arms.

' ""'-Referring first to Figsil and. 2, a supporting 'equal load on thesame side of the vehicle, in v which the necessity for the use of theusual vehicle spring will be eliminated,

A further object of this invention 15101 51 0- vide a spring mountingand compensating mechanism for a pair of wheel-carrying assemblies soarranged as to avoid the necessity of attaching any spring means orcompensating mechanism .to

to attain by using a differential or compensating xcompensatingmechanism that it may be rotat f o:

mechanism for interconnecting the wheel-cam rying assemblies of thepair, by so mounting the ed on a horizontal axis as a single-unit, bypro-, viding suitable means for controlling such rota tion of thecompensating mechanism as an fentire unit; and by otherwise arrangingthe compensating mechanism and control means as here- 7 support 26 andsecuredbetween the halves of inafter described with reference to theaccomw panying drawings in which: Fig. -1 is a fragmentary sectionalside-elevation of one form of vehicle suspension embodying my invention,the figure illustrating the inventionused for a single pair of vehiclewheels;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the vehicle suspensionof Fig. 1, drawn to a larger scale with the wheels omitted, the viewbeing member or. bracket lu isri idly attached to the vehicle frame llbyany suitable means such as the bolts l2. The bracket I0 is preferablyformed of two companion half sections 10a and l 0b which are securedtogetherby bolts I 3, the hollow interior of the bracket forming ahousing for mechanism supported therein to be described later.

7 Each half section, Illa or [0b, of the supporting bracket l0 hasanelongated hub portion IQ-the hubportions extending oppositely intransverse horizontal alinement. |A wheel-spindle assembly 5 isjournaled on each hub portion vYl l b means of bearings 16 and I1. Asuitab le lock nut 18 on the end of each hubportion [4 keepsthe'wheelspindle assembly or arm IS in place ,on the hub portion I4. Awheel spindle 20 is rigidly. supportedin the free end H101 eachwheel-spindle assembly Y I A differential or compensating mechanis'm isrotatably mounted within the supporting member 10. ,T" "differentialmechanism incll de'sa pair of hor zontal,axially alined shafts 2?,to theinher endsof which' tlie glifierential bevel gears 23 are keyed, and aplurality of diiferential pinions 24., The differential pinions 2 4 areioumaled on stub shafts?! which are mounted in a central thedifferential casing/or pinion-supporting outer I element 21. The entiredifferential mechanism is mounted for rotation "by meanslo f thebearings 28 disposed between the hubs off'the bevelgears Y Y 23 and thev interiopsurface-j'oflthe supporting taken from the right. of Fig. 1and thus from the assemblies l5,a's's howrr-in-F ig. 2.

The outer periphery of the pinion-supporting element or casing 21 isformed with a groove like i a pulley to accommodate the control cable30.

One end of the cable 30 is secured to the-casing 21 through the mediumof a ferrule structure 3|,

' or in any other suitable manner. The other end of the cable 30 issecured to a piston 32 (Fig. 1). The piston 32 is slidably mountedwithin a cylinder 33 which is preferably composed of semicylindricalsections formed integral with the half sections of the supporting memberH) as shown in Fig. 1. A compression spring 34, disposed withcarryingthe wheel spindles 93, are supported on ing the cylinder 33, normallholds the piston 32 in the position shown in Fig. l and thus tends toprevent counter-clockwise rotation (as viewed in I Fig. l) of thedifferential casing and of the dif ferential mechanism as an entireunit.

From the construction described it will be apparent that upward movementof one of the wheel-spindle arms, as occurs when one of the wheels ofthe pair passes over a bump or raised portion on the road surface, willcause a force the bracket or housing 11, and the differential shafts 93are supported within the housing in the same manner as shown in Fig. 2.The housing H is formed with an extension 80 to provide a rest for thefree end of the leaf spring. As obvious from Figs. 5 and 6, this form ofwheel suspension produces the same compensating, shock absorbing wheelmounting as the construction illustrated in Fig. 1. In this modifiedconstruction also the supporting bracket 11, preferably made in two,half sections, provides a sealed housing which to be exerted, throughthe connecting differen- I tial mechanism, on the other wheel-spindlearmin the opposite direction. But a sudden upward thrust .on eitheror bothof the wheel-spindle arms will result in partial rotation of thepinionsupporting element or casing 21 against the force of the spring34. Thus the spring 34 acts to cushion any sudden shocks to the vehiclefrom the wheel-spindle arms.

In the modified construction shown in Fig. 3 the wheel-spindle arms 40are directly secured to the outer ends of the horizontal shafts 4| ofthe differential mechanism. The differential bevel gears 43, to whichthe shafts 4| are keyed, have elongated hubs 42. Lock nuts 44 on thinner ends of the shafts 4| hold the bevel gears 43 and shafts 4| infixed relation. The entire difierential mechanism is'rotatably supportedwithin the supporting member or bracket 45 by means of suitable bearings46 and 41. In order to prevent leakage of oil from the interior of thehousing formed by the supporting bracket 45 the hub portions of thewheel-spindle arms 40 are formed with a flange 49 and an oil seal 48-isplaced between each flange 49 and the adjacent end of the supportingbracket. The differential mechanism includes a casing 50, similar to thecasing or pinion-supporting element 21 of Fig. 2, and a cable and coilspring, such as previously described, control the rotation of thedifferential casing and thus the rotation of th differential mechanismas an entire unit.

Fig. 4 illustrates another way in which the differential mechanism andwheel-spindle arms may,

be mounted in the supporting member and connected together. Inthe.construction shown in this figure the differential mechanismcomprises the differential gears. 54, the usual differential pinions 53,and the pinion-supporting element or casing 55 similar to that infigures previously described. The differential gears 54 are keyed di-.rectly to the hubs of the wheel-spindle arms 56. The wheel-spindle armsare rotatably mounted within the supporting bracket 51 by the bearings58, and the wheel-spindle arms 56 and the differential gears 54 arerotatably supported, b the bearings 59 and 52 respectively, on a centralshaft 5| which extends through the spider 60 of the differentialmechanism and into the hubs of both wheel-spindle arms. 7

Although I have referred only to a coil spring as the cushioning andresilient element controlling the rotation of the entire differentialmechr 1. In a vehicle may be kept filled with oil, thus fully protectingthe spring and associated parts from external dirt-and grit and greatlysimplifying the problem of proper lubrication.

Other modifications in the form and-construction of the supportinghousing bracket and in the resilient elements controlling the rotationof the entire compensating mechanism would be possible within the scopeof my invention. It is not necessary that the differential mechanism bemounted for rotation on the same horizontal axis as the wheel-spindlearms inasmuch as the wheelspindle arms might be pivoted on anotherhorizontal axis and each wheel-spindle arm connected bya suitable gearto the respective members of the differential mechanism. But forallpractical purposes itis simpler and preferable to have the wheel-spindlearms and the. differential mechanism all mountedfor rotation on'the samehorizontal axis. It is not my intention to limit my invention otherwiseclaims. v

1 claim:

suspension, a compensating means supported for rotationv as anentireunit on a horizontal axis, apair of wheel-spindle assembliespivotally mounted for movement in parallel vertical planes, saidwheel-spindle assemblies connected to said compensating means, saidcompensating means so arranged that pivotal movement of one ofsaidwheel-spindle assemblies in one direction will ordinarily causerelative opposite movement of the other wheel-spindle assembly butpivotal movement oflbothwheel-m spindle assemblie in the same directionwill cause rotational movement of said compensating means as an entireunit on said horizontal axis,

and resilient means controlling such rotational movement of saidcompensating means.

'2. In a vehicle suspension, a compensating mechanism supported forrotation as an entire unit on a horizontal axis, a pair of wheel-spindleassemblies pivotally mounted for movement in parallel vertical planes,said wheel-spindle assemblies connected to said compensating mechanism,said compensating mechanism ,so arranged that pivotal movement of oneofsaid-wheel-spindle assemblies in one direction-will ordinarily jcauserelative opposite movementof :theother wheelspindle assembly butpivotalmovement of both wheel-spindle assemblies in the same; direction willcause rotational movement of said compensating mechanism as an entireunit, and means than as set forth in the compensating mechanism, saidcontrolling means including a resilient element.

3. In a vehicle suspension, a compensating mechanism supported forrotation as an entire unit on a horizontal axis, a pair. ofwheel-spindle assemblies pivotally mounted on the same horizontal axisas said compensating mechanism for 'movement in parallel verticalplanes, said wheelspindle assemblies connected to said compensatingmechanism, said compensating mechanism so arranged that pivotal movementof one of said wheel-spindle assemblies in one direction will ordinarilycause relative opposite movement of the other wheel-spindle assembly butpivotal movement of both wheel-spindle assemblies in the same directionwill cause rotational movement of said compensating mechanism as anentire unit on the common horizontal axis in the same direction withsaid wheel-spindle assemblies, and means controlling such rotationalmovement of said compensating mechanism.

4. In a vehicle suspension, a differential mechanism mounted forrotational movement as an entire unit on a horizontal axis, saiddifferential mechanism including a rotatable pinion-supporting elementand differential pinions supported in said element, means controllingthe rotation of said element, a pair of wheel-spindle assembliespivotally mounted to move in parallel vertical planes, saidwheel-spindle assemblies connected to said differential mechanism, saidassemblies and differential mechanism so arranged that pivotal movementof one assembly will ordinarily result in opposite pivotal movement ofthe other assembly and pivotal mo'vement of both assemblies in the samedirection will result in rotational movement of said element against theforce of said control means. 7

5. In a vehicle suspension, a differential mechanism mounted forrotational movement as an entire unit on a horizontal axis, saiddifferential mechanism including a rotatable pinion-supporting element,resilient means controlling the rotation of said element, a pair ofwheel-spindle assemblies pivotally mounted to move in parallel verticalplanes and pivoting on the horizontal axis of said differentialmechanism, said wheelspindle assemblies connected to said differentialmechanism, said assemblies and difierentia'l mechanism so arranged thatpivotal movement of one assembly will ordinarilyresuy, in oppositeresilient control means, whereby said resilient means will serve tocushion the shocks transmitted to the .vehicle through said assembliesand differential mechanism.

6. In a vehicle suspension, a supporting means, a compensating mechanismmounted in said supporting means for rotation as an entire unit on ahorizontal axis, a pair of wheel-spindle assemblies pivotally mounted onopposite sides of said supporting means formovement in parallel verticalplanes, said wheel-spindle assemblies pivoting on the same horizontalaxis as said compensating mechanism, said wheel-spindle assembliesconnected with said compensating mechanism, and said assemblies andcompensating mechanism arranged that pivotal movement of one of saidwheel-spindle assemblies in one direction will ordinarily producerelative opposite movement of the other wheel-spindle assemblybutpivotal movement of both wheel-spindle assemblies in thesame directionwill cause-rota-" tional movement of said compensating mecha-- nism asan' entire unit in the same directioniwith said wheel-spindleassemblies, and resilient nieans'controllingsuch rotational movement ofsaidcompensating mechanism as an entire unit. '7. In a vehiclesuspension, a supporting bracket, a difierential mechanism'mounted 'insaid supporting bracket for rotation asan entire unit on a horizontalaxis, a pairof wheel-spindle assemblies pivotally carried by saidsupporting bracket for movement in parallel vertical planes, saidwheel-spindle assemblies pivoting on the same horizontal axis as saiddifierential mechanism, said wheel-spindle assemblies connected withsaid difl'erential mechanism, and said assemblies and difierentialmechanism so arranged that pivotal movement of one of said wheel-spindleassemblies in one direction will ordinarily produce relative oppositemovement of the other wheel-spindle assembly but pivotal movement ofboth wheel-spindle assemblies in the same direction will causerotational movement of said differential mechanism as an entire unit inthe same direction with said wheel-spindle assemblies, and resilientmeans controlling such rotational movement of said differentialmechanism as an entire unit.

8. In a vehicle suspension, a composite supporting member, adifferential mechanism mounted in said composite supporting member forrotation as an entire unit, a pair of wheelspindle assemblies pivotallymounted in said composite supporting member for movement in parallelvertical planes, said wheel-spindle assemblies connected with saiddifi'erential mechanism, and said assemblies and diflerential mechanismso arranged that pivotal movement of one of said wheel-spindleassemblies in one direction will ordinarily produce relative oppositemovement of the other wheel-spindle assembly but pivotal movement ofboth wheel-spindle assemblies in the same direction will causerotational movement of said differential mechanism as an entire unit,and resilient means controlling such rotational movement of saiddiiferential mechanism as an entire unit.

9. A mounting for a pair of vehicle wheels comprising, a supportingmember, compensating mechanism mounted in said supporting member forrotational movement as an entire unit, said compensating mechanismincluding a central pinion-supporting element, a pair of arms pivotallymounted on said supporting member for pivotal movement in parallelvertical planes, a wheel spindle on each arm, said spindles extending inopposite directions, a vehicle wheel on each spindle, said arms and saidelement having a common axis of rotation, said arms connected to saidcompensating mechanism, and said arms and compensating mechanism soarranged that pivotal movement of one of said arms in one direction willordinarily produce. relative opposite movement of the other. arm butrelative movement of both arms in the same direction will causerotational movement of said element in such direction, and meanscontrolling such rotational movement of said element.

10. A mounting for a pair of vehicle wheels comprising. a compositesupporting bracket, differential mechanism mounted in said supportingbracket for rotational movement as an entire unit, said differentialmechanism includin a case extending about the central portion withdifferen- 1 tial pinions supported v carried by said supporting bracketvfor pivotal therein; "a. pair of arms movement in parallel verticalplanes, a wheel spindle 'on each arm and a. vehicle wheel on eachspindle, said arms and said case having a common axis of rotation, saidarms connected to said difierential mechanism and said arms anddifferential mechanism so arranged that pivotal merit of the. otherarmbut relative movement "of both arms in thesame' direction "willcauserota-=- tional movement of said difiereritialcasesin' such direction,and resi'lient'means 'contromngeuch r1 rotational movement of said case,wherebyijsaid; resilient means will serve to cushionithe 'shockstransmitted to the vehicle through said arms-and: .saidmechanism. *i amovement of one of said 'ar'r'risiinvone dir'eetion; 1 1

will ordinarilyjprodiice relative oposite-=move Y f i a Lawson

